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Upgrades ahead across the special operations helicopter fleet
Better targeting, lighter airframes and more firepower are on the docket.
More data, comms, countermeasures needed for Special Ops aircraft
From their largest to smallest aircraft, upgrades are needed for the next fight, Special Operations Command officials said.
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Coverage: AFA Warfare Symposium
Get the top headlines and stories coming out of AFA’s 2025 Warfare Symposium
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Military Times has outlined helpful information about car insurance, renters insurance, and life insurance for troops.
2025 PCS Guide
Read up on tips and tricks in Military Times’ 2025 Permanent Change of Station Guide.
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Learn how your military benefits — including health care, retirement pay and more — have changed in 2025.
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Military History
Europe marks 80th anniversary of World War II’s end
This V-E Day marks the 80th anniversary of Nazi Germany's surrender to Allied forces.
VA’s online legacy project adds names of 210,000 vets lost overseas
The expansion of the veterans online memorial includes the names of almost 93,000 veterans killed overseas during World War II.
Trump proclaims Thursday as day for US to celebrate victory in WWII
Trump signed a proclamation Wednesday designating May 8, 2025, as a “day in celebration of Victory Day for World War II.” It is not a federal holiday.
DOD educator unions sue Trump over collective bargaining rights
Unions representing DOD educators are challenging President Trump's executive order excluding federal workers from collective bargaining.
In other news
Opinion
I sounded the alarm on burn pits — now I see smoke at the VA
The impact of VA Secretary Collins' staffing cuts remains hazy, not unlike the downwind side of a burn pit, Dan Clare of DAV argues in this op-ed.
This sailor requested leave to get his wife pregnant. It was approved.
“My wife is planning on getting pregnant this weekend,” the 1967 liberty request read, “and I would sure like to be there when it happens.”
What surviving an IED taught me about being a stand-up comedian
An Army veteran-turned-stand-up comedian discusses the importance of laughter in the wake of trauma.
By Clay Beyersdorfer
Life of pie: Soldier charged with loan fraud in bakery boondoggle
The soldier has been charged for allegedly using a fraudulent pie business called “Granny’s Delight” to obtain COVID-related business relief loans.
Marine lights candles for romantic hotel surprise, sets room on fire
Update the safety brief.
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MORE STORIES
DOD educator unions sue Trump over collective bargaining rights
Unions representing DOD educators are challenging President Trump's executive order excluding federal workers from collective bargaining.
By Karen Jowers
More data, comms, countermeasures needed for Special Ops aircraft
From their largest to smallest aircraft, upgrades are needed for the next fight, Special Operations Command officials said.
By Todd South
DOD should fix parent notifications about alleged child abuse, IG says
DOD rules don't go far enough to ensure parents are aware of the specifics of allegations involving their children, the Inspector General found.
By Karen Jowers
KC-46 vision system upgrade slips to 2027, 3 years behind schedule
The original vision system for the KC-46 was beset by troubles such as distorted images, but its replacement also has repeatedly fallen behind.
Trump picks senior VA advisor to serve as top department watchdog
Cheryl Mason's shift from administration insider to department watchdog elicited concerns about her ability to be an independent voice on VA operations.
Ill-fated Gaza pier mission lacked sufficient training, equipment: IG
The Defense Department's Gaza pier mission resulted in 62 personnel being injured and at least $31 million in damages, federal investigators found.
By Hope Hodge Seck
Special operators want electronic attack and firepower for watercraft
Officials want kinetic and nonkinetic weapons for a variety of vessels.
By Todd South
Sentinel nuclear missiles will need new silos, Air Force says
The Sentinel ICBM program is already alarmingly over budget, and trying to reuse 55-year-old Minuteman III silos would put it even further behind.
Supreme Court allows transgender military ban to take effect, for now
The high court moved to allow President Donald Trump's administration to enforce a ban on transgender troops while legal challenges proceed.
Collins, Dems spar over whether VA needs key fixes or full overhaul
Congressional fights over plans to cut tens of thousands of VA staffers hinge on lawmakers' views on just how dysfunctional the department is.
DOD working on recipe to improve food on military bases
The DOD is working on a coordinated attack to address food problems on bases.
By Karen Jowers
Dems blast Trump’s pick for military personnel policy as too combative
Nominee Anthony Tata offered a partial apology for past comments attacking Democrats and Trump critics as traitors.
Hegseth champions special operations as the force for today’s threats
There has been a 200% increase in SOF missions over the past three years, the defense secretary said.
By Todd South
Family sues over Florida deputy’s killing of US airman
Former Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Deputy Eddie Duran shot and killed Senior Airman Roger Fortson at the door of Fortson’s apartment in May 2024.
The subtle genius of the ‘chess scene’ in ‘Saving Private Ryan’
Captain Miller’s revelation humanizes soldiers and exposes the tragic irony of war.
By Clay Beyersdorfer
Hegseth directs 20% cut to top military leadership positions
In a memo dated Monday, Hegseth said the cuts will remove “redundant force structure to optimize and streamline leadership.”
By Tara Copp, AP